Rational Equations math problem

Question

The formula for finding the area of a trapezoid is A=(a+b/2)h 

where A is the area, a is the top width, b is the bottom width and h is the height. Rearrange the formula to solve for the top width (a)

a=____________

Answer 1

First of all, let us write the formula more clearly: A = (1/2)(a + b)h.

 

Please note that what you have written is ([a + (b/2)]h...remember the convention about the order of operations!

 

Answer: (2A/h) - b